- New Mexico officials seek hazardous designation for PFAS
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is among those calling on the U.S. government to list so-called "forever chemicals" as hazardous waste under federal law. The governor filed her petition with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday. It follows recent congressional testimony given by New Mexico Environment Secretary James Kenney in which he made the same request. New Mexico is locked in a legal battle with the U.S. Air Force over contamination by the chemicals at two bases in the state. Officials say designating the chemicals as hazardous waste would set a clear regulatory path for New Mexico and other states that are dealing with similar contamination.
- New Mexico receives $1.7B deposit in federal pandemic relief
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A $1.7 billion wave of federal pandemic relief money has arrived at New Mexico's state treasury amid a power struggle between a Democratic governor running for reelection and leading Democratic lawmakers who draft the state budget. State Treasurer Tim Eichenberg confirmed the deposit from the federal government. The money is linked to the American Rescue Plan Act that comes with broad discretion on shoring up state finances and the local economy. Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham vetoed the Legislature's suggestions on relief spending. She has wagered an initial $5 million in relief money on a sweepstakes awards for people who get vaccinated.
- New Mexico struggles with funding drinking water projects
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Legislative analysts say many New Mexico communities are behind the curve when it comes to investing in drinking water infrastructure as drought threatens supplies across the arid state. New Mexico provided roughly $876 million for water projects over a five-year period. But analysts told lawmakers Wednesday that communities aren't doing enough to leverage federal and local dollars. They also said the state's system for financing projects is fragmented and tracking outcomes is difficult, leaving it unclear what taxpayers are getting for their money. Questions also were raised about whether the state can efficiently spend its share of federal relief aid and infrastructure funds to address some of the needs.
- Economists detail recovery of New Mexico oil production
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Legislative analysts say New Mexico is the only top oil-producing state to have recovered to pre-pandemic levels of production. But they warned a panel of state lawmakers during a meeting Wednesday that the market remains volatile and they should take care not to grow the state's budget based on forecasts that suggest more favorable revenues in the short term. The panel also heard from industry analysts about the effects of the Biden administration's actions on permitting and leasing. They said only a fraction of the inventory of federal land in New Mexico's share of the Permian Basin would be at risk since most of the area already is in production.
- Fear of wildfires forces forest closures across Arizona
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — National forests in Arizona are the go-to spots in the summer as people look to escape sweltering desert temperatures. Now, the options for cooling off are limited. Nearly all the national forests in the state will be fully closed this week as firefighting resources run thin and fire danger remains high. Wildfires burning across Arizona already have forced rural residents out of their homes and sent motorists on detours. Parts of forests in other states also are off-limits, but the shutdowns in Arizona are the most widespread. The closures are altering vacation plans for campers, anglers and mountain bikers ahead of the July 4 holiday.
- Officer-involved shooting in Santa Fe leaves 1 dead
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — One person has been shot to death by city police officers in downtown Santa Fe after authorities responded to reports of a fight and gunfire at a public park. The Santa Fe Police Department says its officers responded Wednesday to a call about a fight in progress at a park and reports from emergency dispatchers that one person had been shot, with the shooter running away. In a news release, the Santa Fe Police Department says that its officers searched the area, confronted an armed person and shot the person to death. No other injuries were reported. An investigation by state police is underway.
- New Mexico financial trustees weigh social responsibility
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Custodians of New Mexico's two multibillion-dollar financial trusts that underwrite public education and infrastructure spending are weighing whether to give greater weight to issues of social responsibility and sustainability in investment decisions. The State Investment Council on Tuesday kicked off deliberations about its investment strategies and a possible policy change that could give greater consideration to a host of environmental, societal and governance concerns, from climate change to issues of racial injustice. The conversation takes place as giant asset managers such as BlackRock have placed greater emphasis on the risks and rewards of environmental, social and governance issues, often challenging the direction of company executives.
- Navajo Nation reports 2 new COVID-19 cases and no deaths
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Wednesday reported two new cases of COVID-19, but no additional deaths. Tribal health officials say the sprawling reservation that stretches into New Mexico, Arizona and Utah has seen 30,974 known cases of the coronavirus since the pandemic began more than a year ago. The known death toll still stands at 1,347. Last week, the Navajo Department of Health lifted the tribe's stay-at-home order, easing restrictions to allow in-person meetings and ceremonies of 25 people or fewer and drive-thru gatherings of up to 100 vehicles. Face masks are required by everyone on the Navajo Nation, whether or not they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.